5/13/10 2 Corinthians 5-6
Who are You Living For?
(2 Co 5:15)15and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
More that we would like to admit many of the things we do each day are based on selfish motives. Our nature is to lookout for number one. Yet in 2 Corinthians 5:17 give us potential to live differently. For those who are in Christ are considered new creatures. There is a transformation that takes place when an individual places their faith in Jesus. When a person experiences the transforming love, sacrifice, and forgiveness of Christ this should motivate a person to live for Him.
As a person understands more accurately who God is and what Jesus Christ has done on their behalf then they naturally become more and more desirous and willing to live for Him, by giving themselves away toward others. They understand the first part of chapter 5 which describes the things seen are temporal and the unseen are eternal. What is better to live for those things that are temporary or those things which are eternal?
It is important evaluate and make our decisions based on eternal things rather than temporary things. So what are you living for? Are you living for that next paycheck, the next relationship, for your spouse, for your children, for the chance at fame, or for power? There is a greater way to live and that is for Christ. When you live for Christ everything is put in its proper priority. The difficulty for those who are in Christ is the daily requirement of “dying daily” (1 Cor 15:30, Gal 2:20) to our selfish passions and pleasures. There is also real danger for those who are in Christ to use “spiritual lingo” for selfish advantage against those who may not be as adept in spiritual things.
Today, live for Christ. Let the love of Christ control you in all your relationships and conversations. Do not become discouraged with those who live for themselves, but let your light shine as a life that has a higher goal of living for unseen and eternal realities.
Prayer: Father, Give me a spiritual maturity to live daily for Christ. I think how could I not live for Him after all that He has done for me? I ask for your forgiveness in my selfish living. Purify my motives in living for Christ. Examine my heart now, before I stand before Jesus and he examines me at the Judgment Seat. Oh, search the depths of my heart and cleanse me of the selfishness that lies beneath the surface. I ask for the love of Christ to control me. Keep mind upon the eternal realities and my motivations less and less on the temporary, In Jesus name. Amen.